Xylitol Improves Anti-oxidative Defense System in Serum, Liver, Heart, Kidney and Pancreas of Normal and Type 2 Diabetes Model of Rats.

The present study investigated the anti-oxidative effects of xylitol both in vitro and in vivo in normal and type 2 diabetes (T2D) rat model. Free radical scavenging and ferric reducing potentials of different concentrations of xylitol were investigated in vitro. For in vivo study, six weeks old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, namely: Normal Control (NC), Diabetic Control (DBC), Normal Xylitol (NXYL) and Diabetic Xylitol (DXYL). T2D was induced in the DBC and DXYL groups. After the confirmation of diabetes, a 10% xylitol solution was supplied instead of drinking water to NXYL and DXYL, while normal drinking water was supplied to NC and DBC ad libitum. After five weeks intervention period, the animals were sacri- ficed and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations as well as superoxide dismutase, catalase glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities were determined in the liver, heart, kidney, pancreatic tissues and serum samples. Xylitol exhibited significant (p < 0.05) in vitro nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging and ferric reducing activities. In vivo study revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in TBARS concentrations in the xylitol consuming groups compared to their respective controls. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in GSH levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in analyzed tissues and serum of xylitol-fed animals compared to their respective controls. Results of this study indicate that xylitol has strong anti-oxidative potential against T2D-associated oxidative stress. Hence, xylitol can be used as a potential supplement in diabetic foods and food products.